A.She had run a long way. |
B.She felt weak and tired in the subway. |
C.She had done a lot of work. |
D.She had given blood the night before. |
A.By lifting her to the platform to get others’ help. |
B.By moving her with the help of his girlfriend. |
C.By holding her arm and pulling her along the ground. |
D.By waking her up and dragging her away from the edge. |
A.Danger in the subway. | B.A subway rescue. |
C.How to save people. | D.A traffic accident. |
2 . Here are five common mistakes distance learners make.
Choosing the wrong school.
Putting off things. Many students never finish their degrees because they lack the self-discipline and motivation to sit down and get their work done on a daily basis.
Failing to connect with their peers and professors.
Scaring potential employers. More and more people are recognizing the validity (有效性) of online education.
A.Paying too much. |
B.Paying no attention to online resources. |
C.However, be aware that it is not completely accepted by all people. |
D.Many students attend an online course feeling as if it is very easy. |
E.Selecting the right school is the biggest difficulty that distance learners face. |
F.If you often put off your work, set some specific goals for yourself and stick to them. |
G.One of the most rewarding experiences in education is learning through teamwork. |
3 . Everyone likes to feel that he or she is special. Unfortunately, many of us grow up believing that we’re not special at all. We wish that we could be better at sports or more attractive. We wish we had nicer clothes or more money. Like the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, or the Cowardly Lion from The Wizard of Oz, we believe we’re not good enough just as we are. In the movie, the Scarecrow wishes that he had a brain. The Tin Man wishes he had a heart, and the Lion wants courage. In the end, each of them realizes that he already has what he needs.
Most parents want us to be the best we can be. They sometimes try to encourage us to do better by comparing us to others. They mean well, but the message we often get is that we’re not good enough. We begin to believe that the only way we can be special is by being better than someone else, but we are often disappointed. There will always be someone out there who is better than we are at something. There are plenty of people around who may not be as smart as we are but who are better at sports. Or they may not be as good looking, but they have more money. So it is unfeasible for us to be better than everyone else all the time.
Like the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion, we all want. what we believe will make us better people. What we don’t realize is that often we already have inside us the very things that we seek. Parents sometimes forget to tell us that we are special, that we are good enough just as we are. Maybe no one told them when they were growing up, or maybe they just forgot. Either way, it’s up to us to remind. them from time to time that each of us, in our own way, is special. What we are is enough.
1. By discussing the characters in The Wizard of Oz, the writer mainly wants to show __________.A.we could be more attractive | B.we want to be the best we can be |
C.we are not good enough just as we are | D.we already have inside us what we want |
A.Important. | B.Impossible. | C.Unlucky. | D.Unhappy. |
A.teacher | B.parent | C.teenager | D.coach |
4 . ①Have you ever thought about what’s more important, looking fashionable or feeling comfortable? You might have noticed many people choosing style over comfort and some even go to extremes(极端)to follow fashion. But we should remember: being fashionable isn’t everything. It’s more important to be healthy.
②Some people believe that they need to be a certain size to look good. So, they start extreme diets(日常饮食) that are not good for their health. They might not eat meals or eat too little, which can make them feel sick. Is it a healthy way to live?
③Also, many girls wear shoes with very high heels. They might think high heels make them look taller. But these shoes can actually hurt their feet and make it hard to walk comfortably, and it can increase risks of falls. Some even wear tight(紧的) clothes that influence blood circulation(循环), making it hard to breathe. Should we put fashion over comfort and physical health?
④Besides, some boys and girls spend a lot of time and money changing their hair color. The material they use is usually harmful to their health. To make their hair straight or curly, they also use tools that are hot enough to burn their hair. But using these tools too often or at very high temperatures can make the hair dry or even burnt. Is it really worth it to risk our health, spending so much time and money?
⑤So, let’s rethink what’s really important. Is it fashion or is it our well-being? Clothes or hairstyles don’t tell us anything about a person’s character. Instead of spending a lot of time choosing clothes, we could use that time to do fun things with friends. And instead of following extreme diets let’s eat properly and exercise regularly. Remember, your worth is not decided by your appearance, but by who you are as a person.
1. Why do some people go on extreme diets according to the passage?A.Because the diets are healthy. | B.Because they just want to look good. |
C.Because they want to save time. | D.Because they want to save money. |
A.To ask for help from readers. | B.To tell how to spend time and money. |
C.To describe the latest fashion. | D.To lead readers to think about the topic. |
A.Growth. | B.Health. | C.Warmth | D.Wealth. |
A. | B. | C. | D. |
5 . In various restaurants worldwide, there’s a new sight-child-sized robots. These robots can welcome guests, show them to their tables, deliver food and drinks, and even transport dirty dishes back to the kitchen. Some believe these robot waiters could be a solution to today’s worker shortages in the restaurant industry, with tens of thousands of them now in use.
But other people think that robots can’t replace human workers. Robot waiters can’t take orders, and they struggle with steps, limiting their abilities.
Despite these disadvantages, their use is growing. For example, in Madison Heights, Michigan, Li Zhai faced difficulty finding enough workers for his restaurant, Noodle Topia. To address this, he purchased robots from Pudu Robotics. These robots have been a success, with one leading diners to their seats, another delivering food, and a third transporting dirty dishes.
Zhai found that using these robots reduced his need for employees. Three robots now do the work of what used to require five or six people. In terms of cost, a robot costs around $15 000, while a human can cost $5,000 to $6,000 per month. These robots also have a surprising benefit-they free up human servers to spend more time with customers, resulting in increased tips, Additionally, diners often share videos of the robots on social media, attracting more visitors to the restaurant.
However, not all restaurants have had the same success. For instance, Chili’s (奇利斯餐厅)introduced robot servers in 2020, expanding the test to 61U.S. restaurants before suddenly stopping the program. The robots were criticized (批评) for their slow movement and getting in the way of human servers. A survey showed that 58% of guests believed the robots didn’t improve their overall dining experience.
1. What is the purpose of the first paragraph?A.To introduce a survey about robot waiters. |
B.To show the success of robot waiters in restaurants. |
C.To describe the appearance of child-sized robots in restaurants. |
D.To discuss the challenges of hiring human workers in restaurants. |
A.Solve. | B.Narrow. | C.Ignore. | D.Control. |
A.The history of robot waiters in the U.S. |
B.The challenges of introducing robot servers. |
C.The effect of social media on the restaurant industry. |
D.The advantages of using robots in the restaurant industry. |
A.All restaurants with robot servers are successful. |
B.The use of robot waiters still has a long way to go. |
C.Robot waiters are cheaper to employ than human workers. |
D.The restaurant industry is not affected by worker shortages. |
6 . Since March, BBC journalists have been visiting schools across the country to teach students how to find out fake news. The visits have included up to 1,000 middle and primary schools. They follow a year-long study by BBC. The study found that nearly half of 12 to 15-year-olds find it difficult to tell fact from fiction on social media.
Fake news refers to news stories that you see on TV or the Internet that are partly or completely false. Some of the stories may have some true facts, but still include some lies. Fake news is sometimes created to get clicks and increase profits. Sometimes it is written to get attention or make people think in a certain way.
For example, a nuclear leak at the Fukushima power plant in Japan in 2011 caused an unexpected reaction in China. Fear buying of salt happened in many countries overnight after false news stories saying that iodized salt can protect against radiation. The stories added that sea salt produced in the future might not be safe to eat, as it could be polluted by the leak.
Fake news has had a bad influence on the media industry and society. It may influence public opinion and cause fear or anger. People may also lose trust in the media and become confused about realistic topic and events, BBC said.
Do you know if it’s false? Here are some tips for finding out fake news.
1. Check the information that comes from. Reliable sources include main stream media like CCTV and authoritative organizations like the United Nations.
2. Be careful about headlines. The headlines of fake news stories are often catchy.
3. Check the data. You can probably trust it if the numbers are from a national or international office report.
1. What have BBC reporters been teaching students in the UK?A.How to conduct surveys. | B.How to broadcast radio programs. |
C.How to tell fake news from real stories. | D.How to write news reports for the BBC. |
A.Fake news contains many true facts. | B.Fake news always contains some lies. |
C.Most of the news on the Internet is fake. | D.Fake news is the news that is completely false. |
A.To make more money. | B.To catch people’s attention. |
C.To get clicks from the readers. | D.To compete in the media industry. |
A.BBC journalists also write fake news. | B.Fake news can cause social problems. |
C.People have no trust in the media now. | D.Nuclear leaks in Japan didn’t influence China. |
7 . Why do we laugh at movies like Office Space or shows like The Office? What’s so funny about work?
Steve from California shared. “During a meeting, my boss praised our colleague, saying how handsome he is. The team felt awkwardly surprised, until my boss corrected, ‘No — it’s great how hands-on he is!’ Everyone laughed, easing the tense atmosphere from the meeting. ‘Well, he is handsome, too!’ I defended jokingly, and we al laughed again!”
Office may seem like a serious place. But, according to a study, introducing some laughter into work life can contribute to our well-being and productivity. In fact, finding humor is one of the practices we teach students in our online course. The funny stories they shared remind us that a little playfulness goes a long way toward a more enjoyable work life.
Laughter serves to create and strengthen social bonds in humans — as well as in our chimp (黑猩猩) ancestors. One evolutionary theory claims that laughter first appeared in these ancestors as a response to signal that they are safe at present and a relief to others after something unexpected occurs. This also has implications in modern times, and it may explain why colleagues who laugh more together tend to enjoy a more safe or comfortable environment and a greater sense of unity among teams.
Feeling comfortable in our work environment can enable us to think openly and take risks — a basis for finding creative solutions at work, contributing to our productivity. According to one study, managers who use humor at work are more likely to reach their unit’s target goals. What’s more, employees who say that their manager “makes us laugh at ourselves when we are too serious” or “uses humor to take the edge off during stressful periods” are more likely to trust their manager, and feel a sense of belonging at work.
Of course, humor isn’t always called for — particularly if it’s a distraction from our tasks or keeps us from seeing and addressing real problems at work. But in many situations, sharing jokes with colleagues and finding humor in the chaos can make work a little more fun.
1. What can we learn from Steve’s sharing in the second paragraph?A.The meeting was always filled with laughter. |
B.He helped relieve tension during the meeting. |
C.The team was greatly frightened at his words. |
D.The boss thought his colleague quite handsome. |
A.To create a comfortable atmosphere. |
B.To better their bonds with humans. |
C.To unite other members in the team. |
D.To inform partners of their present safety. |
A.The company is likely to make more profits. |
B.The company will attract more job applicants. |
C.The employees will feel more included at work. |
D.The employees are more likely to work overtime. |
A.How to Strengthen Our Sense of Humor |
B.How to Create a Fun Work Environment |
C.How Humor Can Improve Our Work Life |
D.How Important Being a Humorous Worker Is |
8 . For those who believe that remote (远程的) work is more productive than in the office, research shows that offices remain important. A paper found a 4% drop in the number of calls handled per hour by employees of an online business that had changed from offices to homes. Not only did employees answer fewer calls when remote, the quality of their interactions suffered. They put customers on hold for longer. More also phoned back, an indication of unsolved problems.
Those working at home were 18% less productive than their peers in the office. Another study determined that even chess professionals play less well in online matches than face-to-face. Yet another used a laboratory experiment to show that video conferences affect creative thinking.
The reasons for the findings won’t surprise anyone who has worked from a dining-room table. It is harder for people to collaborate from home. Workers spoke of missing their “neighbours” to turn to for assistance. Some of the co-ordination (协调) costs of remote work might reasonably be expected to fall as people get used to it. But another cost may rise over time: the underdevelopment of human capital. In a study of software engineers, researchers found that feedback exchanged between colleagues dropped sharply after the move to remote work. There is more to work than productivity. Perhaps the greatest virtue of remote work is that it leads to happier employees. People can more easily fit in school pickups and doctor appointments, not to mention the occasional lie-in or mid-morning jog. And some tasks can often be done more smoothly from home than in open offices, especially those requiring unbroken concentration for long periods. All this explains why so many workers have become so office-shy.
Indeed, several surveys have found employees are willing to accept pay cuts for the option of working from home. Having satisfied employees on slightly lower pay might be a good deal for corporate managers. Nevertheless, the balance of the work week is likely to be back to the office, because better productivity lies in that direction.
1. What did a paper find about the online business?A.Employees are kept at work longer. | B.Employees have quality interactions. |
C.Work productivity doesn’t improve. | D.Most hard problems are solved. |
A.They can ask colleagues for help. | B.They can discuss things at dinner. |
C.They have no co-ordination cost. | D.They have high spirits in the office. |
A.It helps workers to fit in with society. |
B.It represents the workplace situation. |
C.It results in employees’ better productivity. |
D.It may come with pay cuts for employees. |
A.Technology. | B.Life. | C.Education. | D.Environment. |
1. Who is the woman speaking to?
A.Her husband. |
B.A policeman. |
C.A fire fighter. |
A.It’s been burnt down. |
B.It’s been broken into. |
C.It’s been damaged. |
10 . Happiness is not a warm phone, according to a new study exploring the link between young life satisfaction and screen time. The study was led by professor of psychology Jean M. Twenge at San Diego State University (SDSU).
To research this link, Twenge, along with colleagues Gabrielle Martin at SDSU and W. Keith Campbell at the University of Georgia, dealt with data from the Monitoring the Future (MtF) study, a nationally representative survey of more than a million U.S. 8th-, 10th-, and 12th-graders. The survey asked students questions about how often they spent time on their phones, tablets and computers, as well as questions about their face-to-face social interactions and their overall happiness.
The study found that teens who spent more time in front of screen devices — playing computer games, using social media, texting and video chatting — were less happy than those who invested more time in non-screen activities like sports, reading newspapers and magazines, and face-to-face social interactions.
“The key to digital media use and happiness is limited use,” Twenge said. “Aim to spend no more than two hours a day on digital media, and try to increase the amount of time you spend seeing friends face-to-face and exercising — two activities reliably linked to greater happiness.”
Looking at historical trends from the same age groups since the 1990s, it’s easy to find that the increase of screen devices over time happened at the same time as a general drop-off in reported happiness in U.S. teens. Specifically, young people’s life satisfaction and happiness declined sharply after 2012. That’s the year when the percentage of Americans who owned a smartphone rose above 50 percent. By far the largest change in teens’ lives between 2012 and 2016 was the increase in the amount of time they spent on digital media, and the following decline in in-person social activities and sleep.
1. Which method did Twenge’s team use for the study?A.Analyzing data from a survey. | B.Asking students certain questions. |
C.Calculating students’ happiness. | D.Doing experiments on screen time. |
A.By making an argument. | B.By giving an example. |
C.By making a comparison. | D.By introducing an idea. |
A.To draw a conclusion from the study. |
B.To support the researchers’ finding. |
C.To prove social activities important. |
D.To offer some advice to the readers. |
A.Quitting phones equals happiness. | B.Screen time should be banned. |
C.Teens’ lives have changed sharply. | D.Screen-addicted teens are unhappier. |